Ceezee is under contract to steal but will the War Leader let her go when her assignment is over or will he keep her too close for comfort?

Ceezee has lived her life as a thief for her clan. Rented out to the Asku she is prepared to find an object that the warriors themselves cannot retrieve. She faces her commander with grace, style and a collection of weapons under her robes. Ceezee prides herself on being ready for anything but she underestimated her reaction to the War Leader General.

Deven has been forced to find an outside source to do what his men cannot, retrieve a power source from one species to return light to another. Treaties bind his hands, but bringing a thief on board is the perfect solution. Attraction flares but he holds back until he is sure that she meets his requirements. Once confirmed that she is suitable he sets plans in motion to keep her from escaping.

Excerpt:

Ceezahli slithered through the crowds and checked the nearest chrono. “Crap.” Being late to a family meeting was more than frowned upon. It was a punishable offense.

Cutting through a series of small shops, her gauze fluttered around her, drawing attention to her haste. A member of the Hewara never ran and rarely made a fool of themselves in public. Ceezee was making an exception in both veins today.

“Where are you going, Slip?” The potter shouted as she approached him.

“A family meeting, Gallo. I am late.”

He winced and gave a sharp whistle. The vendors of the Weskani spaceport cleared a path, and Ceezee was able to put on the speed.

She skidded into the bar where the meeting was being held, and the barmaid pointed to the back room, which was being guarded by two Asku.

They saw her flurry of black fabric coming toward them and tried to bar her way. She slipped under their grasp and skidded into the meeting hall a moment before the chronometer ticked over.

Her uncle was sitting next to the Asku who was on his feet with a gun aimed at her forehead. “Who is this?”

Victoro shook his head, “I am afraid that this is the woman I wanted to introduce you to, my niece Ceezahli Hewara. If it is on a ship, station or planet she can get it out.”

Ceezee got to her feet and shook out her robes. Many folks thought that there was a religious significance to her clothing, but she just found it easier to hide in the shadows when she wore shadows.

Their commander waved the two guards she had passed out of the room. He moved toward her silently but she could see his feet as she concentrated on dusting herself off.

The Asku that she was suddenly standing in front of was tall and had a spicy scent that was not covered by the dust of Weskani. She looked up at him through the gauze of her costume and stepped back. His eyes were unrelieved black, his skin was pale gold and his hair a deep black.

When she stepped back, he reached out and touched her arm, and she gasped in surprise.

He released her as soon as she was stable.

“Ceezee, this is War Leader General Deven Velu. He has an assignment for you.” Uncle Victoro was giving her a long, meaningful look.

The war leader general recalled himself with a jerk. “She is the one you referred to as the best for my purposes?”

“She is the best on Weskani. Or off for that matter. It will be an easy trip for you. Get her close to her target and stand back and wait. There will be no issue.”

The war leader looked down at her. “Are you willing to do this?”

For clarification, Ceezee asked her uncle, “This is along my standard lines for business?”

“It is. Two weeks. One week out, one week back. You need only keep to yourself on their ship and obtain the item that they are after.”

Ceezee nodded. “Do you have a clothing refresher on your ship?”

War Leader General Deven raised a brow. “On our warship? Yes, I am positive that we have the facilities for you. What else do you require?”

She looked up at him and placed her hands on her hips. “It depends. What do you need me to get and where is it located?”